Prospects for girls in the douar and the last plant transect surveys
My fever had abated by the time I awoke, but still felt nauseous and had a headache. After going with Yemena to feed the cow touga and food scraps, Souad and I headed back to Ait-togmud to try and see the woman we missed yesterday. On the way we met two women grazing their 3 black cows- the first time we’ve seen cows grazing on the east side- the douar association laws about grazing a rather strict and its hard to graze cows in the mountains so most families have been keeping them in pens all the time in recent years and collecting fodder for them instead- she gave some other helpful insight into grazing and fodder plants as well. The little girls who followed us out of the douar hiked up the mountain to see the cows as well.
In Ait-tougmud we stayed a long time and had a lovely chat with the young Hadija a girl living on that side. So humbled by how gracious and giving everyone here is. This was the first girl we’ve met who has said she would like to continue school after grade 6 (since that’s how high schooling goes in Amslane) and study French, but they have no family in Esne, so her mother who wants her to continue cannot help. It makes me quite sad to know that the future of so many bright girls like her is so limited here- only boys getting to continue school or getting to attend Koranic school after. We’ve heard quite a few stories like this about not being able to study, so many girls work at home or farm while waiting to get married.
It was quite a bit colder and wet than the beautiful sun we had this morning, so not the best conditions, and my feet slipped in the river as well. Hiked up the hill after all the women had walked by doing ejareten (fodder collection) and two women and Souad had stayed behind, I help the women bundle and carry touga back to the cows. We stayed for a brief cup of tea (it was Halti Hadija’s sister in law), her grandchildren and Fatim watching by the door, but too shy to join. Was a lovely day, sad to have to say goodbye to both Halti Ieshas’ and others. Had a final short interview with Brahim after dinner about the association and demographics.